CHARGERS: Chargers hope to take a page from Pittsburgh's book

SAN DIEGO -- Ladies and gentlemen, here's your 2006 San Diego
Steelers. Or is it the Pittsburgh Chargers?

Either way, you get the drift that the Chargers would like to
emulate the world champion Steelers in more than one way.

No. 1, of course, is the Chargers' vision of racing through the
playoffs and hoisting their first Super Bowl trophy come
February.

And No. 2? Doing it with an inexperienced quarterback in Philip
Rivers.

The Steelers squashed the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL --
as well as the rest of their AFC competition -- with youngster Ben
Roethlisberger at the helm. While Roethlisberger crashed his
motorcycle during the recent offseason, he provided steady steering
for the Steelers en route to their fifth world title.

At 23, Roethlisberger was the youngest quarterback to win a
Super Bowl.

Enter the Chargers' 24-year-old Rivers. He takes over for Drew
Brees, a Pro Bowler who led the Bolts to 20 victories during the
past two seasons.

Like the Steelers with Roethlisberger, the Chargers will ease
Rivers' role by surrounding their green quarterback with a solid
running game, a reliable tight end, a nasty run defense and good
special teams play.

The Chargers' blueprint is to not ask Rivers to do too much, too
soon. If Rivers has to do some heavy lifting, though, Chargers
coach Marty Schottenheimer wouldn't blink.